Spark-plug-testing device



March 4, 1930. w. N. CLOUSE 1,749,664

SPARK PLUG TESTING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1926 gmento'a IMILTETNCLOUSE Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNIT D STA TES PATENT GFFICE WALTER 1v. GLOUSE, or TIFFIN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO CAREY A. LULL, or

TIFFIN, OHIO SPARK-ZPLUG-TESTING DEVICE Application filed July 22,

This invention relates to spark plug testing devices and more particularly to a device adapted for the testing of spark plugs under conditions simulating actual service and wherein the actions of the firing points of the spark plug may be observed.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel form of casing adapted to receive the inner end of a spark plug, such casing being adapted to contain air or other gas under pressure and provided with an observation window through which the performance of the plug may be observed.

A further object is to provide a casing of the above mentioned character having novel means for holding the spark plug in position.

A further object is to provide a casing of the above mentioned character having an opening surrounded by a gasket, and to provide novel means for quickly clamping a spark plug in position against said gasket to provide a leak-proot joint whereby the casing may be filled with a gas under pressure to permit the spark plug to be tested under conditions simulating actual service.

A further object is to providea device of the above mentioned character employing a compressible gasket having an opening therein through which the spark plug is adapted to be inserted and to provide means for holding the gasket in position and compressing it to vary the size of the opening whereby it isadapted to accommodate spark plugs of varying sizes. 7 Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during'the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is an end elevation,

Figure 2 is a plan view, and,

Figure 3'is' a central longitudinal vertical sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral designates a casing as a whole which may be formed of any suitable material and is preterably cast integral. The casing is provided with a lower chamber 11 having an opening 12 communicating therewith. The opening 12 is formed in a threaded extension 13 car- 1926. Serial No. 124,246.

ried by the casing, and a compressible gasket 14 is arranged against the end of the extension 13. A cap 15 is threaded on the ex tension 13 and is provided with an in ternal annular flange 16 adapted to engage the gasket 14 to retain it in position and to compress the gasket to vary the size of the opening therein for a purpose to be described. In Figure 3 of the drawings I have shown a spark plug 17 arranged in position with the inner end 18 of the plug extending through the gasket 14 and opening 12. The spark plug is provided with the usual electrodes 19, while the body of the plug is provided with the usual hexagonal portion 20.

Means are provided for engaging the spark plug to hold it in the position shown in Fig ure 3. A yoke 21 extends across the plug and is adapted to engage the end of the hexagonal portion thereof. A pair of arms 22 are secured to the ends of the yoke as at 23. A substantially U-shaped operating handle 24 is pivotally connected to the casing as at 25, and the free ends of the arms 22 are pivotally connected to the handle as at 26.

The casing is provided with an upper chamber portion 27 in which is arranged a check valve 28 of any desired construction whereby the interior of the casing may be subjected to pressure by introducing compressed air thereinto. A gage 29 is employed for indicating the pressure within the casing as will be apparent.

. The end of the chamber 11 is provided with'an annular groove 30 receiving a gasket 31 against which is arranged a glass 32 to provide a window. A cap 33 is secured to the end of the casing by screws or the like 34, and the cap 33 and the adjacent end of the casing are provided with openings 34 whereby the interior of the casing will be visible.

The casing is provided at one side with a binding post 35 to which may be secured a lead wire 36. It will be-obvious that this wire may be connectedwith a suitable source of current and will be grounded on the casing. A second wire 37 is connected to the binding post 38 of the spark plug, and this wire is I also connected to the source of current referred to.

The operation 01" the device is as follows:

The handle 24 is swung about its pivot and the yoke 21 is moved to one side, whereupon the inner end of a spark plug is inserted in the openings in the gasket and the end of the extension 13. The enlarged portion of the body adjacent the hexagonal portion engages against the outer face of the gasket as will be apparent. The yoke is then swung into operative position and the handle is turned, thus drawing the arms 22 inwardly and clamping the yoke 21 against the hexagonal portion of the spark plug. It will be apparent that the yoke is adapted to clamp the shoulder of theplug against the gasket 14 to provide a leak-proof joint. As previously stated, the gasket is compressible and the cap 15 may be adjusted in or out to coinpress the gasket whereby the opening therein may be varied to accommodate itself to spark plugs of varying sizes, the adjustment of the gasket also assisting in providing a leakproof joint. Pressure is then introduced into the casing through the valve 28, the pressure within the casing being indicated by the gage 29. Any suitable pressure may be introduced into the casing to simulate actual surface conditions to which spark plugs are subjected, whereupon the plug may be connected to the source of current. The outer electrode 19 will be grounded either at the opening. 12 or through the yoke 21, while the inner electrode will be connected to the wire 87. Operation of the spark plug easily may be observed through the glass 32, the latter forming an observation window. Thespark plug then may be released by swinging the handle 24 and the next spark plug to be tested may be placed in position in a similar man- I ner. The casing is relatively small and quickly may be subjected to the proper pressure after each spark plug is placed in position, and the clamping means for the spark plug provides a quick and effective method for clamping the spark plug in position and permitting it to be removed. It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred exampleof the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

threaded, a cap engaging the threaded portion of said casing and contacting with said 7 gasket arranged against an opening in the casing and provided with an opening through which a portion of the spark plug isadapted to be inserted, a portion of said casing adj acent and concentric to said gasket being threaded, a cap engaging the threaded portion of said casing and adapted to contact with said gasket whereby the latter may be compressed to vary the size of the opening therein, a yoke adapted to engage a portionof the spark plug, and lever means adapted to actuate said yoke to clamp another portion of the spark plug against said gasket to form a closure for the opening therein.

8. A device adapted to form an air tight connection between a spark plug and a casing of a testing device comprising a compressible gasket arranged against an opening in the casing and provided with an opening through which a portion of a spark plug is adapted to be inserted, an element engaging said'casing and said gasket for securing said gasket to and compressing it against said casing to vary the size of the opening therein, and means carried by the casing for clamping another portion of the spark plug against said gasket to form a closure for the opening therein. I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

" WVALTER N. CLOUSE.

1. A device adapted to form an air tight 7 connection between a spark plug and a casing of a testing device comprising a compressible gasket arranged against an opening in the casing and provided with an opening through which a portion of a spark plug is adapted to be inserted, a portion of the casing adjacentand concentric to said gasket being to form an air tight 7 i 

